The Rochester Hills native, who’s the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, will be honored by the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame during its 40th induction banquet in Troy on Thursday.

Keselowski, the first Michigan native to win the Sprint Cup title, will receive the hall of fame’s Excellence in Sports award.

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Jim Dombrowski, a former lineman for the New Orleans Saints, and former world champion figure skater Elaine Zayak will be inducted into the hall of fame.

Keselowski won the Sprint Cup championship in November as he completed his third full season in NASCAR’s top series.

It was a championship some suggested was unlikely, because Dodge was Keselowski’s backing manufacturer, and the auto maker announced in mid-season it would discontinue its NASCAR participation following 2012.

Penske Racing, the stable of Keselowski in the No. 2 Miller Lite car, and Joey Logano in the No. 22, is now affiliated with Ford.

Keselowski won five races in 2012, raising his career total to nine.

He finished second in August at Michigan International Speedway, which hosts the Sprint Cup Series this weekend.

“Brad is well-deserving of this honor,” John Ford, field marketing manager in Michigan for Miller Lite, said of the Polish-American award. “He is a huge ambassador for Miller Lite fans, and exemplifies a dedicated commitment to fans and the state of Michigan. We’re proud to support him.”

Keselowski will make his eighth MIS Sprint Cup start Sunday.

After 14 races this season, he is ninth in driver points. Keselowski has five top-five finishes, but no victories as he defends the championship.

“It’s not an easy challenge,” Keselowski, 29, said of defending the title. “But it’s a good challenge to have because that means you won the year before, and I am all in.”

In late May, Keselowski drove the No. 2 Ford Fusion across the Mackinac Bridge to promote NASCAR racing in the state.

Since Keselowski drove across the span, the two towers of the “Big Mac” have been illuminated with blue lights to honor Keselowski’s “Blue Deuce.” The blue lights will remain until Sunday’s race.

The NPASHF banquet begins at 6 p.m. at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy.

George Blaha, announcer for the Detroit Pistons, will be the master of ceremonies.

Tickets are $100 apiece. For more information, call 313-407-3300, or go to www.polishsportshof.com.